Five out of training: Lavia and Badiashile get closer

Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile continued their individual training on the Cobham pitch today on a muggy Surrey afternoon.

Due to the international shift, a much smaller group than usual was tested. Only those who had not been summoned or were not injured were involved.

The good news is that the return of Lavia and Badiashile is ever closer, as is that of Armando Broja.

Lavia has not featured since he arrived from Southampton, but Mauricio Pochettino explained that he “needed a couple of weeks to be ready to be involved in the team”.

Roméo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile continued their individual training session on the Cobham pitch today on a sweltering Surrey afternoon.

Due to the international break, a much smaller group than usual was put to the test. Only those who were not called or who were not injured were involved.

The good news is that Lavia and Badiashile’s return is fast approaching, as is Armando Broja’s.

Lavia hasn’t been there since signing from Southampton and Mauricio Pochettino has said he needs ‘a few weeks to be ready to play in the team’.

Badiashile has been out since the end of last season with a hamstring problem but is making good progress.

Pochettino hopes to be able to return to work soon.Broja has also been involved with Cobham as his return from anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained last December has been carefully managed.

Raheem Sterling was in the inner group at Cobham today after his surprising non-inclusion in the England squad.

Pochettino spoke about that decision on Friday afternoon.

“What we want to do is provide better tools and we will push even more players who have not received a call-up from the national team today so that they have the opportunity to be called up next month,” he said.

“We want to push Raheem even more, trying to convince the coach.
I’m sure he will work hard and be a motivation for the month to come. He must continue to work, score, assist and help the team win points.”

Thiago Silva is not in the national team this term, although the man with 113 caps to his name is still available for selection for Brazil.

He joined Sterling and Robert Sanchez in the scorching late summer heat in Surrey.

More news……

The shocking loss to Nottingham Forest by Chelsea is explained by Ben Chilwell.

After Saturday’s Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge to Nottingham Forest, Ben Chilwell bemoaned Chelsea’s lack of “ruthlessness” in front of goal.

Chelsea has had a difficult start to the 2023–24 Premier League season despite spending more than £1 billion on new players.

They have only won once, against Luton Town, and have shockingly lost to both West Ham United and, most recently, Nottingham Forest.

With players like Nicolas Jackson missing numerous opportunities to salvage something for Chelsea, only one goal from Anthony Elanga was necessary to put the two teams apart.

Vice-captain Chilwell identified this lack of finesse in the final third as the primary cause of the Blues’ recent problems in an interview with the club’s official website following the defeat.

Everyone in the locker room is currently very disappointed by the very frustrating outcome. If you look at the stats, we had the most possession and played well overall, but the most crucial stat is the number of goals we scored.

That is the black and white of it, and we need to get better,” he said.
“We lost in that department and we lost the game.

Football mistakes are inevitable; the key is how you bounce back and attempt to reenter contests.

“We lost control of the game after we conceded, which was not what we wanted.
Our erratic play suited them better.
We need to get better at carrying on with our game after conceding.

“This is still a very young team, and there are many new players trying to settle in at a new club.
You have to understand their playing styles, but this is still a game we ought to be winning.
No justifications.
With any luck, as the confidence grows, we’ll turn this around.

“The right direction is where we are headed.
In the vast majority of the games we’ve played, we’ve maintained possession.

To get back into games, we need to convert chances, be more ruthless, and maintain our composure.
Our chances are concluded with that last part. “.

After the September international break, Chelsea and Chilwell will take on Bournemouth in an attempt to get their winning streak back on track.